Stigma attached to gaming in S.A

[Edelweiss]

Are you proud to call yourself a gamer and willing to shout it off of Table Mountain?

Do you think there's still a significant amount of stigma attached to gaming as a main hobby/lifestyle in South Africa? Everyone knows about the common cookie-cutter stereotype of a "gamer" from the 20th century. Do you think that people in S.A have to come to acknowledge that gaming is now more mainstream or do you still catch a few funny looks when you don your favourite game franchise t-shirt/hoodie/cap at the mall?

Personally I tend not to buy clothing merchandise of my favourite gaming franchise or hardware brands due to this. Unfortunately I do have a sense of shame when I want to do this sort of thing. Maybe I just care too much of what other people think of me.

Do you also think eSports will REALLY catch on in South Africa?

 

[brendanvb]

I have no shame in being a gamer, but I do often get told by my colleagues what a boring life I lead when we're comparing weekend activities (they seem to think hanging out in bars until the early hours of the morning is a much better pastime ). I don't have any gaming branded clothing, besides my MyG shirt, but I have no shame in wearing that either. Being gay, I've learned early on not to let what others think affect your life.

 

[Ser_Bunnylot]

I suppose. Gaming has been more of a secondary hobby lately, with my first being woodworking. And whenever I meet someone new and talk about myself woodworking is right up there at the forefront. I'll mention woodworking before I mention my wife "whistling:

Never quite had that with gaming. Not that I'm ashamed of it, but I never felt that gaming was something to be proud of. It's along the same lines as being a proud TV series binger, or an avid watcher of the Discovery Chanel. Great for you but there just isn't much to talk about with people who are interested in different things.

Having said that, I would like some gaming branded clothing but the only things I saw were cheap quality prints on Tshirts. I already look like a hobo, so it might even be an improvement.

 

[DarthMol]

I've found that gaming as a hobby is increasingly more accepted by society. Particularly when it comes to consoles, "Even the jocks have Xboxes". So most people can relate to gaming since they game in some way themselves (mobile counts). The only time I get people looking at me a bit funny is if I get into a discussion about PC hardware but I'll even admit that is still a bit nerdy

 

[Rhymelark]

Hardly believe it is a stigma attached to gaming in S.A as such but a stigma all over. Gaming has become a lot more accepted but there are still some that believe it is a childish pursuit which should be replaced by more grown up pursuits as you get older.

 

[Tom]

@edilwiess I think the amount of money being poured into Gaming, and particularly competitive gaming, eSports, cant be ignored... I was looking at something the other day that showed statistics about Dota compared to the other Traditional sports,

http://dotablast.com/ti5-prize-pool-how-we-compare-to-10-traditional-sports/

Its mind blowing to see... Also with Twitch TV, which I often watch, iv had people say to me, but how can you watch people play games? How boring? And im like, well I love watching Sport, Cricket, Rugby, Tennis, And Games are the same to me... Why shouldnt i watch the Hearthstone Blizzcon Finals Live? I love the game? Its the same as a cricket world cup? The scary thing about it all, is the actual viewship on Twitch, is beginning to rival that of TV sports like the NBA Finals, NFL Finals, etc...

I will openly wear anything i like that i think looks good, and fits me properly, i dont care what anyone thinks about me being a gamer or not, the truth of the matter is, we are all different people, and things appeal differently to us all... The fact that we are all on this forum is a good indication that we have similar interests...

 

[AstroTurf]

I found the only people that attach any stigma to gaming are a few generations past sell by date "whistling:

 

[Avatar]

My wife often (playfully) mocks me about it, but still suggests that I put on a game when she pulls out a book, and even helped me host two viewing parties for the last two major Dota tourneys. Hells, she even tried watching it with us!

 

[Edelweiss]

My wife often (playfully) mocks me about it, but still suggests that I put on a game when she pulls out a book, and even helped me host two viewing parties for the last two major Dota tourneys. Hells, she even tried watching it with us!

Tried? Why not watch? You're lucky to have someone that loves you that much

 

[Avatar]

Tried? Why not watch? You're lucky to have someone that loves you that much

Well, it turns out that the best way to get a non-gamer to watch a gaming tournament is definitely not 1) with a high paced, frenetic game like dota, 2) when she is recovering from a night shift the night before, and 3) a very deep and complex game like dota. She ried to keep up with the first match (ie. three games) and did surprisingly well, but at the beginning of the final she fell asleep! I'm still impressed that she even attempted watching and understanding!

 

[Flex]

I am a huge gamer/nerd. But not a conventional one. I am also a body builder, with tattoos and piercings. So I do get some strange reactions when I tell people I am a gamer, and like doing it competitively.
Our team is actually going to have to practice lots this year, as we got contracts, small as they are though it's a start.
So we have set practice days. The other evening I had to leave a family dinner a bit earlier than usual for Practice. They all thought I am going to the gym, and reacted very strangely when i said no, I am going to my PC.

eSport will and is definitely getting bigger and bigger in SA. Just look at what DGL have done just this year already.

So yes, I am a proud Gamer and not afraid to shout it out

 

[Edelweiss]

I am a huge gamer/nerd. But not a conventional one. I am also a body builder, with tattoos and piercings. So I do get some strange reactions when I tell people I am a gamer, and like doing it competitively.
Our team is actually going to have to practice lots this year, as we got contracts, small as they are though it's a start.
So we have set practice days. The other evening I had to leave a family dinner a bit earlier than usual for Practice. They all thought I am going to the gym, and reacted very strangely when i said no, I am going to my PC.

eSport will and is definitely getting bigger and bigger in SA. Just look at what DGL have done just this year already.

So yes, I am a proud Gamer and not afraid to shout it out

Same here.. I just avoid the subject to save face IRL with acquaintances haha.
TBH I think it's here to stay for a very long time especially in a backwards country like S.A.

 

[Flex]

Same here.. I just avoid the subject to save face IRL with acquaintances haha.
TBH I think it's here to stay for a very long time especially in a backwards country like S.A.

Luckily i Try to surround myself with like minded people, so don't usually have that issue except with in laws and people I do not really know

 

[Mclyle_]

People are getting slightly more open minded about it.. Slightly

 

[The_Imp_ZA]

I don't feel the need to label myself. Personally, I dislike the "gamer" term. If you like using that term, that's your choice and it's cool. Personally though, I don't feel the need to use it.

I partake in a lot of different actives. I don't require special labels for any of those. I don't call myself a booker because I read books, or a filmer because I watch movies. I don't yell out that I'm a runner because I jog. I just do things. If you ask me what I do for recreation then I'll l tell you, and if someone has an issue, it's because they're a close-minded person.

Certain older people, and some younger morons do certainly have a stigma with video games because: "it's only for children" or, "it'll make you violent". Those people are generally the type I try to avoid. Everyone is allowed their opinion, but when your opinion is objectively incorrect and you still stick by it, I find it difficult to recognize your opinion.

Don't ever feel shame for doing something that you like. Caveat: as long as you're not killing people or something.

Although I dislike the gamer term, whoever came up with the "gaymer" term, to describe people who play games in the LGBT community, is very clever. It's like a combo, you know. I don't swing that way, but if I did I would probably use that.